Our Houston bus accident lawyers know the number of tour bus riders peaks during the summer travel season. And, in today's economy, finding a deal is important for many looking to maximize a summer getaway while minimizing costs. However, we urge you to check the safety record of your carrier -- even taking a look at the age and condition of the buses before making a trip can help reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Congressional testimony revealed this issue after the feds enacted the rule prohibiting en route inspections.
“It has removed a critical tool designed to immediately identify driver and mechanical safety issues, hampering enforcement’s efforts,” said CVSA’s Vice President David Palmer. “We are firm believers that many more lives could be saved and injuries avoided if en route roadside inspections were once again permitted to allow states to conduct these inspections when and where necessary.”
Bus accidents can be devastating. As we reported earlier this month on our Houston Truck Accident Law Blog, 23 passengers from Del Rio were injured in an accident with a semi while on the way to Disney World.
Additionally, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is concerned about the exemption of inner-city bus carriers from hours-of-service regulations meant to protect passengers and other motorists from fatigued commercial drivers.
“If Congress chooses to once again enable en route bus inspections, CVSA will commit to assisting the states and FMCSA by immediately conducting enroute bus inspections, as well as continuing strike forces and other enforcement activities throughout the country,” said Palmer. “We believe this is the most appropriate and effective response to immediately impact bus safety.”
Bus safety has been in the news since a horrific bus accident in Manhattan killed 14 people in March. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration quickly conducted an enforcement blitz in an attempt to appear proactive. Unfortunately, many safety advocates say the government has done too little for too long when it comes to ensuring the safety of passengers on charter buses.
"Safety is our number one priority," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to shut down unsafe passenger bus companies that place motorists at risk and remove drivers from our roads who put passengers in harm's way."
In 17 days, the government conducted 3,000 inspections and put about 300 passenger buses out of service. In other words, 1 in 10 buses had safety issues so dire they were not permitted to remain on the road.
If you have been involved in an accident in the Houston area, contact The Stephens Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your rights. A Personal Injury Trial Law Specialist through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993, Attorney Stephens has won multiple verdicts over $1 million and is a Million Dollar Advocates Member. Call today at 713-224-0000 or contact us through this website.
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